Combination shipping case and display stand



Feb. 7, 1933. R RICHARDS 7 1,896,721

COMBINATION SHIPPING CASE AND DISPLAY STAND Filed Dec. 11, 1931 Patented Feb. 7, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RALPH N. RICHARDS, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, AS SIGNOR TO OTTAWA RIVER PAPER COMPANY, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, A CORPORATION" OF OHIO COMBINATION SHIPPING CASE AND DISPLAY STAND Application filed December '11, 1931. Serial No. 580,270.

This invention relates to an improved combination shipping case and display stand adapted to be made from stiff paper or similar sheet material.

The great majority of shipping cases now.

nection with the accompanying drawing, in

Figure 1 represents a blank from which the shipping case is made.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a shipping case partially completed.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the shipping case after it has been closed and sealed.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a sh1pping case after the end is cut off preparatory to converting the case into a display stand.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the same case folded to form a display stand, but before the insert has been placed therein.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of an insert used to complete the display stand.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the completed display stand.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of an insert which may be used instead of that shown in Fi 6.

In accordance with my invention a blank of the required size is cut, as shown in Figure 1. This blank comprises panels 10, 11, 12 and 13 with score lines 14 about which they are folded to form the four sides of a box. As shown in Fig. 2, the adjacent edges of the panels 10 and 13 are usually bound together by cambric tape or other suitable material, as indicated at 15, to meet railroad classifications for shipping containers. The blank is also provided with end flaps 16 and score lines 17about which they may be folded to form the top of the case, as shown in Fig. 3. Bottom flaps 18 are also provided with score lines 19 about which they may be folded to form the bottom of the case. The flaps 16 and 18 are separated by corner slots 20 preparatory to folding.

\Vhen a shipment has been received in the shipping case, the top 21 should be carefully removed by cutting along the dot and dash line 22, which may .be marked on the outside of the container, if desired.

In order that the shipping case may be especially adapted to be converted into a floor display stand, fold lines 23, 24 and 25 are scored on the inside of the panels 11, 12 and 13, respectively, before the blank is folded. In order to facilitate the conversion the panel 12 is also provided with diagonal score lines 26 extending from the ends of the fold line 24 to the center of the fold line 17. After the top 21 has been removed, as indicated in Figure 4, and. the contents of the case taken out, the upper portion of the panel 12 may be folded inwardly across the case, as shown at 27 in Fig. 5, to form a horizontal seat for receiving articles for display. The upper part of the rear side of the case then serves as a back for the seat, as indicated at 28, while the sides are doubled about the lines 23 and 25 to a triangular shape, as shown at 29 and 30.

In order that the display stand thus formed may retain its shape and also have an attractive finished appearance, an insert may be furnished with each shipping case. As shown in Fig. 6, this insert comprises two panels 31 and 32 which may .be folded about the line 33 and which have a forcefit between the'sides 29 and 30. Thus, when the insert is placed in the top of the display stand, it is held therein by friction.

If preferred, an insert consisting of a single panel, as indicated at 34 in Fig. 8, may be provided instead of the insert shown in Figs. 6 and 7 The combination shipping case and display stand may be manufactured at substantially the same cost as an ordinary shipping case. The only change necessary is to provide the additional score lines 23, 2 1, 25 and 26 and to furnish a suitable insert which may be packed within the case when goods are shipped. When the case, after being used for a shipment of goods, is converted into a floor display stand, it. presents a very noticeable and attractive appearance, particularly if the sides of the case and the iiisert are printed with attractive designs. This printing may .be done merely by adding a printing unit to the cutting and scoring machines where the blank is made. The use of such a combination shipping case and display stand offers a substantial inducement for a buyer to purchase his goods from a firm which uses this style of case.

If it is desired to manufacture a floor display stand which is not to be used first as a shipping case, the blank is originally cut as above described, except that the flaps 16 are omitted. This blank is then folded in the same manner as shown in Fig. 5.

WVhile I have shown and described the iiivention in detail, it is understood that it includes all such modifications as may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

WVhat is claimed is:

l. A combination shipping case and display stand having top, bottom, front, rear and side walls, a score line extending transversely across the front wall, and score lines in the side walls extending upwardly and rearwardly from the ends of said transverse score line to the edges of the rear wall, whereby the upper portion of the front wall may be folded rearwardly and the upper front portions of the side walls folded against the inside faces of said side walls to form a display stand seat, after the top of the case is removed.

2. A combination shipping case and display stand having top, bottom, front, rear and side walls, a score line extending transversely across the front wall, and score lines in the side walls extending upwardly and rearwardly from the ends of said transverse score line to the edges of the rear wall, whereby the upper portion of the front wall may be folded rearwardly and the upper front portions of the side walls folded against the inside faces of said side walls to form a display stand seat, after the top of the case is removed, said front wall also having score lines extending from the ends of said transverse score line diagonally to the upper edge of said front wall to facilitate the folding.

3. A combination shipping case and display stand having top, bottom, front, rear and side walls, a score line extending transversely across the front wall, and score lines in the side walls extending upwardly and rearwardly from the ends of said transverse score line to the edges of the rear wall, whereby the upper portion of the front wall may be folded rearwardly and the upper front portions of the side walls folded against the inside faces of said side walls to form a display stand seat, after the top of the case is removed, and an insert having a force lit in said seat and adapted to be inserted therein to reinforce and retain the folded portions in their folded positions.

4. A combination shipping case and display stand having top, bottom, front. rear and side walls, a score line extending transversely across the front wall, and score lines in the side walls extending upwardly and rearwardly from the ends of said transverse score line to the edges of the rear wall. whereby the upper portion of the front wall may be folded rearwardly and the upper :roiit portions of the side walls folded against the inside faces of said side walls to form a display stand seat, after the top of the case is removed, said front wall also having score lines extending from the ends of said transverse scoi'e line diagonally to the upper edge of said front wall to facilitate the folding, and an insert having a force fit in said seat and adapted to be inserted therein to rein force and retain the folded portions in their folded positions.

5. A display stand made from stilf sheet material and having front, rear, and side walls, a score line extending transversely across the front wall, and score lines in the side walls extending upwardly and rearwardly from the ends of said transverse score line to the edges of the rear wall. whereby the upper portion of the front wall may be folded rearwardly and the upper front portions of the side walls folded against the inside faces of said side walls so that the entire upper edges of the side walls are in supporting relation to the rearwardly folded portion of the front wall to constitute a display stand seat.

6. A display stand made from stiff material aiid having front, rear, and side walls. a score line extending transversely across the front wall, and score lines in the side walls extending upwardly and rearwardly from the ends of said transverse score line to the edges of the rear wall, whereby the upper portion of the front wall may be folded rearwardly and the upper front portions of the side walls folded against the inside faces of said side walls so that the entire upper edges of the side walls are in supporting relation to the rearwardly folded portion of the front wall to constitute a display stand seat. said front wall also having score lines extending from the ends of said transverse score line diagonally to the upper edge of said front wall to facilitate the folding.

7. A display stand having front. rear and side walls, a score line extending transversely across the front wall, and score lines in the side walls extending upwardly and rearwardly from the ends of said transverse score line to the edges of the rear wall. whereby the uppe. portion of the front wall may be folded rearwardly and the upper front portions of the side walls folded against the inside faces of said side walls to support the rearwardly folded portion of the front wall in position to constitute a display stand seat, and an insert having a force fit in said seat and adapted to be inserted therein to reinforce and retain the folded portions in their folded positions.

8. A display stand having front, rear, and side walls, a score line extending transversely across the front wall, and score lines in the side walls extending upwardly and rearwardly from the ends of said transverse score line to the edges of the rear wall, whereby the upper portion of the front wall may be folded rearwardly and the upper front portions of the side walls folded against the inside faces 'of said side walls to support the rearwardly folded portion of the front wall in position to constitute a display stand seat, said front wall also having score lines extending from the ends of said transverse score line diagonally to the upper edge of said front wall to facilitate the folding, and an insert having a force fit in said seat and adapted to be inserted therein to reinforce and retain the folded portions in their folded positions.

9. A display stand made from still' sheet material and having front, rear and side walls, a score line extending transversely across the front wall, and score lines in the side walls extending upwardly and rear wardly from the ends of said transverse score line, the remaining portions of the side walls being unscored whereby the upper portion of the front wall may be folded rearwardly and the upper front portions of the side walls folded against the inside faces of said side walls to form a display stand seatfthe ends of the seat being thus supported by the folded-in sections of the side walls.

10. A display stand made fromstifl' sheet materialand having front, rear and side walls, a score line extending transversely across the front wall, and score lines in the side walls extending upwardly and rearwardly from the ends of said transverse score line, the remaining portions of the side walls being unscoredwhereby the upper portion of the front wall may be folded rearwardly and the upper .front portions oflthe side walls folded against the inside faces of said side walls to forma display stand seat, the ends of the seat being thus supported by the folded-in sections of the side walls, said front wall also having score lines extending from the ends of said transverse score linesdiagonally to the up r edge of said front wal to facilitate the olding.

" 11. A displa stand made from still sheet material and aving front, rear and side walls, a score line extending transversely across the front wall, score lines in the side walls extending upwardly and rearwardly from the end of said transverse score line, whereby the upper portion of the front wall may be folded rearwardly and the upper front portions of the side walls folded against the inside faces of said side walls to support the same in position to constitute a display stand seat, and means for engaging and holding in shape the folded-in portion.

12. A display stand made from stiff sheet material and having front, rear and side walls, a score line extending transversely across the'front wall, score lines in the side walls extending upwardly and rearwardly from the end of said transverse score line, whereby the upper portion of the front wall may be foldedrearwardly and the upper front portions of the side walls folded against the inside faces of said side walls to support the same in position to constitute a display stand seat, said front wall also having score, lines extending from the ends of said transverse score lines diagonally to the upper edge of said front wall to facilitate the folding, and means for engaging and holding in shape the seat portion.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name to this specification. 

